Abstract: A telephone device and method that enable the user of the telephone to visibly read a number stored in a memory of the telephone even though the telephone does not have a numeric display. The telephone has at least one light, such as an LED, that is visible by a person using the telephone. The light is coupled to a controller that consists of a microprocessor and an LED driver. The microprocessor is coupled to the various keys on the telephone. When the microprocessor receives a command, via the telephone keys, for viewing a specific number, the microprocessor reads that number from memory. The microprocessor then instructs the driver to flash the light or lights on the telephone in such a manner that a person viewing the lights would become cognizant of the number. Thus, a person watching the telephones lights can read numbers from the memory of the telephone, even though the telephone does not have a numeric display.

Abstract: A telephone having a repertory dialing capacity and the associated method of programming new number sequences into the repertory dialing memory of the telephone. The telephone includes dialing keys, function keys and may include memory access keys. The dialing keys are used to dial the telephone. The memory access keys, if present, or a corresponding key sequence, is used to selectively retrieve stored number sequences from the repertory dialing memory. The function keys are used to switch the telephone between an operational state, wherein said dialing keys are used to dial, and a program state wherein said dialing keys are used to enter number sequences into the repertory dialing memory. A controller contained within the telephone provides access to the repertory dialing memory and enables a new number sequence to be entered into the repertory dialing memory, provided one of a plurality of key event sequences occur.

Abstract: A telephone system and method where telephones automatically learn the required prefix codes used in a private system to reach a public telephone exchange. The telephone has a memory that stores the numbers of callers who have called that telephone. A microprocessor then compares each number dialed on that telephone to the stored numbers saved by the telephone. The comparison is done from the last digit in each number to the first digit in each number. If at least the last seven digits of a dialed number match at least the last seven digits of a saved number, then a match is considered to occur. By analyzing the numbers in a dialed number that are not the same as the numbers in a matched saved number, the microprocessor can determine a possible prefix code that was contained within the dialed number. By performing a statistical analysis of possible prefix codes, the microprocessor can determine the proper prefix code for the telephone.

Abstract: A telephone system and method that enables a telephone to handle more call appearances that it has call appearance keys. The telephone system contains a display and general purpose keys that are used to respond to prompts shown on the display. When the telephone system receives an incoming call that is not assigned to a dedicated call appearance key, then the system places a prompt on the display. The prompt identifies the line upon which the telephone call is received by placing an identifying name, number or telephone location on the display. The prompt is placed adjacent to one of the general purpose keys so that the prompt is clearly associated with only one of the general purpose keys. The system then assigns that general purpose key to the telephone line addressed by the prompt. As a result, the general purpose key becomes a call appearance key and a person using the telephone system can complete a connection between that telephone an incoming call by pressing that general purpose key.

Abstract: In an interactive display for a telephone terminal, movement between menu screens is controlled by hard buttons located on the telephone terminal. Directional arrow symbols, responsive to the switching action provided by pressing the hard buttons, are selectively employed in the display space of the menu screens for providing a visual indication to a user of available previous and/or next menu screens. These arrow symbols occupy minimal space in the display screens, yet enable the user of the telephone terminal to easily determine the availability of and direction to proceed to access additional available menu selections in the interactive display.

Abstract: A telephone terminal is configurable by a user to contain just those features desired by the user. Although equipped with a full set of available features, the terminal also is initially configured only with a minimum default set of features directly and easily accessible by a user. The user is able to reconfigure the telephone terminal for selectively adding features when he or she desired more capabilities.

Abstract: A locking arrangement is provided for limiting access to certain selected menu functions on a telephone terminal is provided. Although these functions are generally located in different sections of the menu hierarchy, each may be unlocked and relocked while a user remains in the same section of the menu hierarchy containing the selected function. For accessing the function, the user enter a password while located in the same section of the menu hierarchy as the function to be accessed. Once the password is entered, direct access to the selected menu function is permitted. The locking arrangement provides for the relocking of each of the selected functions automatically by the user simply exiting the accessed selected function.

Abstract: In a user-interactive display-based telephone terminal, a user of the telephone terminal is provided easy access at the terminal to both local features and network-based features from a telecommunication switch. The user of the terminal reconfigures the terminal to a state wherein network based information is obtained by simply actuating any of the associated network-based keys. Similarly, the user of the telephone terminal reconfigures the terminal to a state wherein local information stored in the terminal is obtained by simply actuating an associated local key. The information selected, local or network-based, is displayed in the same location in an associated display on the terminal. The user of the terminal is therefore not provided with nor is he or she required to have knowledge of the location of a particular feature.